The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Handing gay rights advocates a monumental victory, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that marriages between couples of the same sex cannot be prohibited by states, a decision that overrides Texas’ ban on gay marriage. Full Story
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It was a mostly new cast of characters in the Texas Senate, a chamber historically ruled by seniority, that flexed its political muscle to stop a statewide texting-while-driving ban this year. Full Story
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A major donor to Gov. Greg Abbott sought and received help from the office of the governor after complaining that Democrats and their top contributor were on the verge of defeating a controversial bill insurance companies wanted. Full Story
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If the Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants county clerks to hold off on issuing marriage licenses to such couples until his office has given them direction. Full Story
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Full video of my conversation about health care and the 84th Legislature with state Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin; Susan King, R-Abilene; and J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville Full Story
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State Rep. Scott Turner, the Frisco Republican who unsuccessfully ran for speaker this year, has decided not to seek re-election. Full Story
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Texas voters are all for tax cuts, but not necessarily the same ones legislators prefer, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Dozens of emails obtained by the Tribune provide a rare peek into the private deliberations of Gov. Greg Abbott. The emails paint a portrait of a chief executive more interested in the nitty-gritty of state policy than what’s known of his predecessor. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott, who took office in January as an enigma to even Capitol veterans, has ended his first session with a reputation as a thoughtful behind-the-scenes player with a less aggressive approach than his predecessor had. Full Story
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The conservative wing of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's party wasn't thrilled with his first legislative session, objecting most notably to his "godless" pre-kindergarten plan. But Abbott seems to be mending fences by vetoing two measures the Tea Party disliked. Full Story
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Come August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may require Texas to cut 200 billion pounds of carbon emissions over the next two decades. Top Republican officials still won’t confirm whether Texas will flout those rules — an option that some critics call risky. Full Story
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As of Monday, any bills that passed the Texas House and Senate this year and escaped Gov. Greg Abbott's veto pen are now law. Check out our Texas Legislative Guide to see all the bills that made it through. Want to see a list of the vetoed bills? We have that, too. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott has signed off on a budget provision that will oust Planned Parenthood from a state cancer screening program for low-income women. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott has issued 42 vetoes in the aftermath of the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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The new law will give tax breaks to a small group of businesses but slightly increase taxes across the rest of the state. Full Story
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A federal appeals court on Friday rejected a request from Texas abortion providers to temporarily put on hold a ruling that could leave Texas with nine abortion facilities. Full Story
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Students who skip school will no longer be sent to criminal court, facing fines and possible jail time, under legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott late Thursday. Truancy will be a civil offense. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is officially getting rid of the state's controversial "pick-a-pal" system, signing legislation reforming the selection of people who serve on grand juries in Texas. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed four criminal justice and public safety bills, bringing to eight the total number of vetoes he has issued in the aftermath of the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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In this week's Roundup: Billions in tax cuts are officially on the books, the city of Denton repeals its fracking ban and the field of 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls grows ever larger. Full Story
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